1 00:00:04,500 --> 00:00:08,039 Japan. Michael, welcome to Japan, a railway paradise. 2 00:00:08,380 --> 00:00:12,600 Its huge population spread over long islands live by its railway. 3 00:00:12,840 --> 00:00:13,840 It's like I'm driving. 4 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:19,400 My new adventure takes me through the land that launched the high -speed 5 00:00:19,740 --> 00:00:21,000 I love Shinkansen. 6 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:25,680 Where millions of journeys are made each day through some of the most bustling 7 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:26,800 stations on Earth. 8 00:00:27,280 --> 00:00:28,280 Busy city. 9 00:00:29,040 --> 00:00:31,820 I'll ride Japan's vast railway network. 10 00:00:32,189 --> 00:00:34,530 To uncover a land of bold innovation. 11 00:00:34,890 --> 00:00:37,210 Haven't quite got the hang of it yet. 12 00:00:37,530 --> 00:00:44,410 A place of enduring tradition, volatile geology and remarkable people. Join 13 00:00:44,410 --> 00:00:49,410 me on an excursion like no other. I'm too excited to sit down. 14 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:12,760 I'm travelling by rail across Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's main 15 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:24,560 To continue my journey, I've returned to Kagoshima Chuo Station, the southern 16 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:27,460 terminus of the island's high -speed rail network. 17 00:01:35,200 --> 00:01:41,200 Always exciting to see a Shinkansen, that long jet -star nose designed to 18 00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:43,980 up the wall of air as it zooms into a tunnel. 19 00:01:46,980 --> 00:01:52,280 I'll be travelling on a bullet train, the icon of the Japanese railway, to 20 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:54,380 explore Kyushu's fascinating history. 21 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:04,440 Kyushu makes up about a tenth of Japan's land mass. 22 00:02:04,970 --> 00:02:07,490 and the population is around a tenth as well. 23 00:02:08,190 --> 00:02:13,010 I began in the south, at Kagoshima, and I'm now exploring the western side of 24 00:02:13,010 --> 00:02:18,050 the island, whose character has long been influenced by its location, which 25 00:02:18,050 --> 00:02:20,190 exposes it to Asia and Europe. 26 00:02:21,090 --> 00:02:25,570 I'll then travel via the western tip of Honshu Island to end at Hiroshima. 27 00:02:32,300 --> 00:02:37,540 The revered position of Emperor of Japan has existed for many centuries. 28 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:42,960 But across history from time to time, it has been largely symbolic, with true 29 00:02:42,960 --> 00:02:45,380 political power exercised by others. 30 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:51,080 On this part of my journey, I will look at the regime of those military rulers 31 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:56,900 known as the Shoguns, who isolated Japan from the outside world for two and a 32 00:02:56,900 --> 00:02:57,900 half centuries. 33 00:02:58,060 --> 00:03:02,320 and at how, at the end of that period, with the change of government, Japan 34 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:06,200 reopened and embraced technology from abroad. 35 00:03:10,540 --> 00:03:14,060 There are many models of Shinkansen or bullet train. 36 00:03:14,320 --> 00:03:20,300 And on this journey, an N700 series zooms from Kagoshima up the West Coast. 37 00:03:35,080 --> 00:03:40,480 Japan's high -speed trains, the Shinkansen, had been operating since 38 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:44,040 when lines were opened into Tokyo. 39 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:51,120 But it is a truly national project, and now there are about 3 ,000 kilometres 40 00:03:51,120 --> 00:03:52,160 of line. 41 00:03:53,440 --> 00:03:57,560 Some of the 21st century additions included the line down to the most 42 00:03:57,560 --> 00:04:02,860 station at Kagoshima, and it was a very difficult project. It ran through the 43 00:04:02,860 --> 00:04:05,520 mountains. And nearly all of it is in tunnel. 44 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:10,960 Only very occasionally does the train stick its long nose into the daylight. 45 00:04:11,220 --> 00:04:14,900 And for that reason, the line has been nicknamed the Mole. 46 00:04:31,660 --> 00:04:38,280 My journey north takes just 25 minutes, a speedy trip to a destination noted for 47 00:04:38,280 --> 00:04:39,880 its slower pace of life. 48 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:43,960 The exit will be on the left side of the train. 49 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:51,780 Passengers going to Isatsu Orange Railway, please change trains here at 50 00:04:52,220 --> 00:04:53,220 Thank you. 51 00:05:01,550 --> 00:05:03,630 I'm alighting at Izumi Station. 52 00:05:04,070 --> 00:05:10,130 The architecture and decoration draw inspiration from the region's fame as 53 00:05:10,130 --> 00:05:13,510 the winter home for over 10 ,000 cranes. 54 00:05:13,830 --> 00:05:17,430 They migrate here each year, largely from Siberia. 55 00:05:19,390 --> 00:05:24,650 It's also the boarding point for boats to the Amakusa Islands, which sit off 56 00:05:24,650 --> 00:05:25,990 western coast of Kyushu. 57 00:05:37,960 --> 00:05:41,560 They're made up of two large and many small islands. 58 00:05:42,420 --> 00:05:47,080 Celebrated for their lavish greenery and fascinating geology, they're designated 59 00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:52,900 a geopark in recognition of their natural beauty, local communities and 60 00:05:52,900 --> 00:05:53,900 heritage. 61 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:04,200 I'm visiting Shimoshima, the largest island in the Amakusa archipelago. 62 00:06:10,220 --> 00:06:12,500 Hello! Hello! 63 00:06:14,580 --> 00:06:16,480 What a wonderful welcome! 64 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:26,800 Ladies, thank you for your welcome. Hello. 65 00:06:27,660 --> 00:06:30,660 Oh, such beautiful costumes. 66 00:06:31,280 --> 00:06:32,300 Same colour. 67 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:44,500 They're spectacularly dressed to perform a traditional Amakusa Island dance with 68 00:06:44,500 --> 00:06:46,180 the Ushibuka Haya. 69 00:06:46,580 --> 00:06:52,100 The women wish the fishermen, their husbands, lovers and sons, a safe 70 00:06:54,520 --> 00:06:56,180 Lovely, cheerful music. 71 00:06:58,100 --> 00:07:04,900 The gestures, I think, replicate movements on a boat, boarding nets, 72 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:05,920 pulling rope. 73 00:07:10,730 --> 00:07:11,669 All those ropes! 74 00:07:11,670 --> 00:07:13,010 All those ropes! 75 00:07:18,110 --> 00:07:21,850 It's so compelling that I can't resist joining in. 76 00:07:47,550 --> 00:07:52,470 Situated on the outer edge of the Japanese archipelago, these islands were 77 00:07:52,470 --> 00:07:57,650 the first port of call for foreign ships and the gateway through which new ideas 78 00:07:57,650 --> 00:07:59,710 and influences entered Japan. 79 00:08:00,130 --> 00:08:01,990 That included Christianity. 80 00:08:02,610 --> 00:08:08,190 Today, around 2 % of the Japanese population, roughly 3 million people, 81 00:08:08,190 --> 00:08:09,190 as Christian. 82 00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:16,540 Christianity arrived on these shores with Portuguese missionaries in 1549, 83 00:08:16,720 --> 00:08:20,800 and hundreds of thousands were converted. 84 00:08:21,100 --> 00:08:27,140 And the contagion that it represented was one of the reasons why the shoguns, 85 00:08:27,220 --> 00:08:32,640 the military rulers of Japan, excluded foreigners and banned foreign travel. 86 00:08:33,620 --> 00:08:38,799 Amazingly, in this remote place, Christianity survived in secret. 87 00:08:39,690 --> 00:08:43,270 to rise again when the prohibition was lifted. 88 00:08:54,950 --> 00:09:00,270 To hear about the island's Roman Catholic heritage and the group known as 89 00:09:00,270 --> 00:09:07,050 Christians, I'm meeting Saki Urakami, an Amakusa Island resident and guide. 90 00:09:07,850 --> 00:09:09,770 This is such a beautiful restaurant. 91 00:09:10,110 --> 00:09:14,030 The setting is amazing on the water with the greenery beyond. Yeah, it is. 92 00:09:14,330 --> 00:09:17,730 This place is very interesting because of the history of Christianity. 93 00:09:19,930 --> 00:09:22,250 Why do you think the Shoguns banned Christianity? 94 00:09:22,890 --> 00:09:29,890 I think there are several reasons, but one of them, like Shogun, he 95 00:09:29,890 --> 00:09:32,930 was the top of the society at the moment. 96 00:09:33,190 --> 00:09:36,610 But under the Christianity, everyone is equal. 97 00:09:37,660 --> 00:09:44,420 And so Shogun realized that Christianity was a threat for his 98 00:09:44,420 --> 00:09:48,560 administration. And the Christians who remained here during the ban, 99 00:09:48,860 --> 00:09:53,360 how did they behave? 100 00:09:53,960 --> 00:09:58,780 Of course, people called hidden Christians, people 101 00:09:58,780 --> 00:10:05,140 disguised themselves as Buddhist or Shinto believers. 102 00:10:08,250 --> 00:10:13,650 There's Shinto, like, a festival, and they visit the Buddhist temple. 103 00:10:15,270 --> 00:10:16,270 Arigato. 104 00:10:18,270 --> 00:10:20,990 Thank you. Beautiful. 105 00:10:21,870 --> 00:10:23,870 This is spectacular, isn't it? 106 00:10:31,230 --> 00:10:32,390 Well done, Chef. 107 00:10:33,890 --> 00:10:36,750 During the time of the ban on Christians, 108 00:10:37,670 --> 00:10:42,570 Did the other people, the Shinto and the Buddhist, sometimes inform against 109 00:10:42,570 --> 00:10:45,490 Catholics to the authorities, to the shoguns? 110 00:10:45,810 --> 00:10:52,390 The government order to, you know, inform if they find some 111 00:10:52,390 --> 00:10:56,370 questions. But here, never happened. 112 00:10:56,650 --> 00:10:57,970 Nobody did. Why is that? 113 00:10:58,210 --> 00:11:01,090 Because this Saketsu village is a fishing village. 114 00:11:01,370 --> 00:11:06,290 So once you go out to the sea, you need to support. 115 00:11:06,990 --> 00:11:08,810 your fellow fishermen. 116 00:11:09,270 --> 00:11:14,930 There's no time to care about the differences in the religion. 117 00:11:15,270 --> 00:11:18,330 Because people have to trust each other for their lives. 118 00:11:18,590 --> 00:11:21,190 Tell me about the island today. 119 00:11:21,730 --> 00:11:23,830 So three religions coexist. 120 00:11:24,410 --> 00:11:29,630 Catholic Church and Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. 121 00:11:30,010 --> 00:11:32,330 Wow. Quite happily living with each other. 122 00:11:32,550 --> 00:11:33,550 Yes, of course. 123 00:11:41,930 --> 00:11:44,830 There are several hundred Christians on these islands today. 124 00:11:45,530 --> 00:11:48,190 One is Mr Yamashita, a fisherman. 125 00:11:50,150 --> 00:11:51,390 Yamashita -san. 126 00:11:52,330 --> 00:11:54,070 I'm Michael. 127 00:11:54,490 --> 00:11:58,750 How many generations of your family have lived in Sakitsu? 128 00:11:59,390 --> 00:12:02,830 Were they fishermen too? 129 00:12:03,850 --> 00:12:05,930 And is it dangerous? 130 00:12:15,310 --> 00:12:17,570 In your boat. I'd love to see it, please. 131 00:12:18,090 --> 00:12:21,390 Oh, that's very beautiful. 132 00:12:22,010 --> 00:12:23,890 How old is this, do you think? 133 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:58,860 To me, it's 134 00:12:58,860 --> 00:13:03,300 amazing to find such Catholic faith in Japan. 135 00:13:04,320 --> 00:13:05,540 That's a surprise to me. 136 00:13:07,020 --> 00:13:08,080 Would it be possible? 137 00:13:08,700 --> 00:13:10,440 to come aboard and have a spin on your boat. 138 00:13:11,140 --> 00:13:13,600 Thank you. 139 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:27,280 Here is history in a postcard. 140 00:13:27,720 --> 00:13:32,220 These beautiful traditional Japanese houses with their distinctive roofs and 141 00:13:32,220 --> 00:13:37,160 tiles. And there, a church spire that could be from England. 142 00:13:37,870 --> 00:13:38,870 With the cross above. 143 00:13:40,790 --> 00:13:46,070 The tiny harbour village of Sakitsu is an important centre of Christianity. 144 00:13:47,070 --> 00:13:50,430 Worshippers attend what's nicknamed the Church on the Sea. 145 00:13:50,630 --> 00:13:53,970 It's Roman Catholic, built in 1934. 146 00:14:00,190 --> 00:14:01,890 This is a pretty church. 147 00:14:02,370 --> 00:14:04,410 And a pretty good size, too. 148 00:14:05,050 --> 00:14:10,580 And... It wouldn't look out of place in Europe or South America. It had all 149 00:14:10,580 --> 00:14:14,320 these gothic touches, pointy arches and things like that. 150 00:14:15,180 --> 00:14:20,040 But one thing that makes it very Japanese is that I had to remove my 151 00:14:20,040 --> 00:14:21,040 came in. 152 00:14:21,200 --> 00:14:25,120 And here on the floor, there are tatami mats. 153 00:14:35,530 --> 00:14:40,370 To continue my journey, I've returned to Kyushu Island to take a train from 154 00:14:40,370 --> 00:14:41,370 Mitsumi. 155 00:14:42,690 --> 00:14:47,790 What a beautiful station, with a steeple and a cross on the exterior, and 156 00:14:47,790 --> 00:14:50,650 beautiful Japanese modernity inside. 157 00:14:54,150 --> 00:14:56,770 From here, I'm picking up a regional train. 158 00:15:00,050 --> 00:15:04,310 A lovely, narrow gauge, one person operated, diesel. 159 00:15:08,010 --> 00:15:12,550 It's a 50 minute journey up the western coast of Kyushu and with such large 160 00:15:12,550 --> 00:15:14,710 windows there are glorious views. 161 00:15:15,250 --> 00:15:17,730 A great coastal railway journey. 162 00:15:26,270 --> 00:15:29,630 My next destination will be the city of Kumamoto. 163 00:15:32,330 --> 00:15:38,900 As the Shinkansen was extended southward, Services began to run into 164 00:15:38,900 --> 00:15:40,640 the 12th of March 2010. 165 00:15:41,420 --> 00:15:47,260 The city used the opportunity to promote itself and invented a new mascot called 166 00:15:47,260 --> 00:15:51,580 Kumamon. He's a wide -eyed creature with a cuddly belly. 167 00:15:52,060 --> 00:15:56,640 The Japanese love of the cute is known as kawaii. 168 00:15:57,080 --> 00:16:00,420 But it goes beyond innocence and sweetness. 169 00:16:00,780 --> 00:16:04,480 It ventures into the quirky, the rebellious. 170 00:16:04,880 --> 00:16:11,180 Even the mildly erotic, it seeps into fashion. It affects neighbouring 171 00:16:11,180 --> 00:16:15,760 countries. A valuable and persuasive source of Japanese influence. 172 00:16:20,060 --> 00:16:23,740 I've come to Kumamoto to see its world -famous castle. 173 00:16:24,380 --> 00:16:29,220 But before that, I hope to glimpse its most celebrated, emblematic creature. 174 00:16:36,189 --> 00:16:38,870 Kumamon! How lovely to see you. 175 00:16:39,110 --> 00:16:41,350 Wow. What an honour. 176 00:16:42,770 --> 00:16:46,010 Kumamon has achieved celebrity status in Japan. 177 00:16:46,350 --> 00:16:48,230 Why are you so famous? 178 00:16:49,410 --> 00:16:51,370 Oh, for your dancing. 179 00:16:57,150 --> 00:16:58,750 You know the way to the castle? 180 00:17:00,450 --> 00:17:02,550 Yeah. Let's go. 181 00:17:21,629 --> 00:17:22,629 Sayonara! 182 00:17:23,410 --> 00:17:24,410 Bye! 183 00:17:25,410 --> 00:17:26,730 Bye, Kumamoto! 184 00:17:35,010 --> 00:17:41,450 Kumamoto is Kyushu's third largest city with around 750 ,000 inhabitants. 185 00:17:41,930 --> 00:17:47,630 It's also steeped in history, with one of Japan's best -known and most 186 00:17:47,630 --> 00:17:49,050 significant castles. 187 00:17:49,800 --> 00:17:54,920 In 2016, a massive earthquake caused terrible damage to the city and the 188 00:17:54,920 --> 00:18:01,140 fortification. Restoration work costing around £320 million is still underway. 189 00:18:01,520 --> 00:18:03,000 Hence the hard hat. 190 00:18:04,200 --> 00:18:10,840 In 1853 and 1854, United States naval expeditions under the command of 191 00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:16,660 Perry threatened Japan with violence and forced it to open itself to world 192 00:18:16,660 --> 00:18:23,400 trade. Forces within Japan, Notably, the samurai Saigo Takamori from 193 00:18:23,400 --> 00:18:28,620 Satsuma toppled the shogun government in what was known as the Meiji 194 00:18:28,620 --> 00:18:32,020 Restoration, Meiji being the name of the emperor. 195 00:18:32,360 --> 00:18:37,320 The new administration abolished feudalism and began to modernize Japan. 196 00:18:38,740 --> 00:18:44,000 America's gunboat diplomacy set in motion the dramatic regime change which 197 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:45,860 seen as the birth of modern Japan. 198 00:18:46,700 --> 00:18:51,440 To hear about that turning point and the celebrated figure of Saigo Takamori, 199 00:18:51,560 --> 00:18:56,920 the inspiration for the hero of the Hollywood film The Last Samurai, I'm 200 00:18:56,920 --> 00:18:59,680 Professor of History Izumi Haragun. 201 00:19:01,680 --> 00:19:05,700 I'd love to hear about this great personality, Saigo. 202 00:19:06,100 --> 00:19:11,220 Saigo Takamori was born and bred in Kagoshima. 203 00:19:11,870 --> 00:19:12,849 castle town. 204 00:19:12,850 --> 00:19:18,930 He came from lower samurai class but he was very respected 205 00:19:18,930 --> 00:19:25,590 among young samurai and wise lord Shimazu Nariakira 206 00:19:25,590 --> 00:19:28,450 selected him as secretary. 207 00:19:28,870 --> 00:19:34,910 He recommended to learn about parliamentary system and 208 00:19:34,910 --> 00:19:40,850 constitution and educational reforms. 209 00:19:41,610 --> 00:19:44,550 He was a great modernizer. Yes, he was a modernizer. 210 00:19:44,830 --> 00:19:48,310 He opened railway age. 211 00:19:48,570 --> 00:19:55,290 He first objected railway construction 212 00:19:55,290 --> 00:19:59,670 initially because it cost too much money. 213 00:20:00,410 --> 00:20:06,370 But eventually he approved railway 214 00:20:06,370 --> 00:20:07,990 construction. 215 00:20:08,810 --> 00:20:10,510 And you can come to... 216 00:20:10,910 --> 00:20:12,790 Kyushu by railway now. 217 00:20:13,050 --> 00:20:14,050 Indeed, indeed. 218 00:20:15,930 --> 00:20:20,950 Despite being a key figure in the new modernizing government, the rapid pace 219 00:20:20,950 --> 00:20:26,190 reform, which included the abolition of the samurai class, proved too much for 220 00:20:26,190 --> 00:20:32,870 Saigo. He resigned his post, rallied an army of samurai from Satsuma, and rose 221 00:20:32,870 --> 00:20:36,650 against the government in what is now called the Satsuma Rebellion. 222 00:20:37,320 --> 00:20:41,560 In one of its defining moments, he placed Kumamoto Castle, the principal 223 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:46,280 stronghold of government forces, under siege for 52 days. 224 00:20:47,120 --> 00:20:52,560 And this castle was very, very strong, very well prepared for siege. 225 00:20:53,020 --> 00:20:55,520 Yes. It's hard to climb up. 226 00:20:55,720 --> 00:20:58,180 Yeah. Even for ninjas. 227 00:20:59,740 --> 00:21:03,020 He was defeated. After the battle, Saigo dies. 228 00:21:03,520 --> 00:21:06,020 Yes. He died for himself. 229 00:21:06,970 --> 00:21:07,970 He killed himself. 230 00:21:08,550 --> 00:21:10,850 Soldiers cut off his head. 231 00:21:11,370 --> 00:21:13,430 On his command, on his wishes. 232 00:21:13,670 --> 00:21:18,870 Yes. How do you feel about Saigo? I love Saigo. You love Saigo? Yes, of course. 233 00:21:19,290 --> 00:21:25,230 He was a man of strong justice and loyalty and courage. 234 00:21:25,510 --> 00:21:28,970 A great hero, a charismatic figure. 235 00:21:29,190 --> 00:21:31,230 Yes. And a timeless figure. 236 00:21:40,840 --> 00:21:44,940 I return to Kumamoto station to take a train heading north. 237 00:21:46,940 --> 00:21:52,700 My next stop will be the station of Shimomuta, a journey of 17 minutes on 238 00:21:52,700 --> 00:21:53,700 high -speed line. 239 00:21:57,040 --> 00:21:58,940 On the dot, Hustle Wake. 240 00:22:00,120 --> 00:22:05,640 I'm on a Shinkansen 800 series introduced to this line in 2004. 241 00:22:07,150 --> 00:22:11,890 I'm bound for a place with important links to the region's samurai heritage. 242 00:22:15,010 --> 00:22:20,570 Japan's samurai warrior class became famous all over the world for its 243 00:22:20,570 --> 00:22:22,950 and also for its very demanding code of conduct. 244 00:22:23,270 --> 00:22:28,990 A samurai warrior would prefer death to defeat or to surrender, and he would use 245 00:22:28,990 --> 00:22:32,130 his sharp blade to commit harakiri, to disembowel himself. 246 00:22:32,910 --> 00:22:36,970 One of the first reforms after removal of the shoguns was to abolish the 247 00:22:36,970 --> 00:22:41,230 samurai. And you might expect that with that, the art of making the sword, the 248 00:22:41,230 --> 00:22:43,830 katana, would also disappear, but not so. 249 00:22:44,190 --> 00:22:49,470 There are still a few craftsmen today working to the same high standards that 250 00:22:49,470 --> 00:22:52,350 were demanded by the samurai for whom they once worked. 251 00:22:55,390 --> 00:23:00,690 My Shinkansen has brought me to Shinomuta Station, which opened in 2011. 252 00:23:07,950 --> 00:23:13,970 It's the closest Shinkansen station to Arau, an old mining center located on 253 00:23:13,970 --> 00:23:14,970 coast. 254 00:23:15,190 --> 00:23:20,750 I'm seeking out a master of Japan's centuries -old craft of sword -making. 255 00:23:21,370 --> 00:23:22,510 The forge. 256 00:23:25,390 --> 00:23:27,550 Matsuraga -sensei. Hello. 257 00:23:29,250 --> 00:23:32,030 May I come down? Okay. 258 00:23:32,730 --> 00:23:33,730 Thank you. 259 00:23:34,590 --> 00:23:39,990 Matsunaga Genrakuru has been crafting blades for over 40 years. They're 260 00:23:39,990 --> 00:23:43,110 recognized as works of art and cultural artifacts. 261 00:23:43,530 --> 00:23:46,170 Their manufacture is strictly regulated. 262 00:23:46,590 --> 00:23:49,770 Master, how many swords do you make? 263 00:23:53,030 --> 00:23:59,610 How long does it take you, Master, to make a sword? 264 00:24:13,520 --> 00:24:14,520 Yes, 265 00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:21,060 your craftsmanship is a piece of the whole jigsaw. 266 00:24:21,540 --> 00:24:24,300 And where do you find the material for this? 267 00:24:38,509 --> 00:24:45,070 Once the iron sand is worked into a big block of tamahagane, pieces are cut from 268 00:24:45,070 --> 00:24:47,870 it and stacked, ready to be fired together. 269 00:24:57,800 --> 00:25:00,040 I would never have guessed it would be wrapped in paper. 270 00:25:04,760 --> 00:25:05,760 Yes. 271 00:25:12,420 --> 00:25:16,980 The block is reheated, then hammered with a force of 200 kilograms. 272 00:25:22,860 --> 00:25:28,680 It then folded over, reheated, hammered and folded again, more than ten times. 273 00:25:29,260 --> 00:25:32,860 Only then is it stretched to the length of the sword. 274 00:25:35,720 --> 00:25:41,180 Matsunaga Genrokuru has made over a thousand in his lifetime and has a 275 00:25:41,180 --> 00:25:44,180 collection of old samurai armour and weapons. 276 00:25:45,020 --> 00:25:48,860 Oh, 300 -year -old sword. 277 00:25:49,120 --> 00:25:52,800 Oh, and here comes the blade. My goodness, the blade on these swords. 278 00:25:56,910 --> 00:25:57,910 That's the lighting. 279 00:25:58,370 --> 00:26:00,790 Oh, my goodness, I'm holding the sword. 280 00:26:01,390 --> 00:26:02,950 Look at that edge. 281 00:26:04,130 --> 00:26:05,130 Oh, my goodness. 282 00:26:05,210 --> 00:26:10,410 It's quite a strange feeling to hold something that's quite so beautiful and 283 00:26:10,410 --> 00:26:11,510 quite so dangerous. 284 00:26:12,630 --> 00:26:15,730 Right, thank you. May we put it away? 285 00:26:15,970 --> 00:26:17,290 There we go, Master. 286 00:26:18,210 --> 00:26:23,390 Extraordinary to believe that that black iron that I saw before creates this 287 00:26:23,390 --> 00:26:25,890 beautiful, perfect cutting steel. 288 00:26:27,360 --> 00:26:33,940 Next to the forge is a dojo, a room where Matsunaga Kenrokuro teaches 289 00:26:33,940 --> 00:26:40,040 the art of samurai swordsmanship, which includes tamashigiri, or cutting 290 00:26:40,040 --> 00:26:43,180 practice, targeting a rolled tatami mat. 291 00:27:17,230 --> 00:27:23,010 Alarmed by the spread of Christianity the Shoguns were pretty successful at 292 00:27:23,010 --> 00:27:25,890 excluding further foreign influences 293 00:27:26,720 --> 00:27:32,900 And as a result, the heritage here is purely Japanese, and the culture highly 294 00:27:32,900 --> 00:27:36,820 distinctive, such as the rigorous code of conduct of the samurai. 295 00:27:37,340 --> 00:27:43,680 One disadvantage of isolationism was that Japan fell behind the West in 296 00:27:43,680 --> 00:27:45,360 prowess and technology. 297 00:27:45,940 --> 00:27:52,540 And the rapid transformation of the country, from feudalism to being a 298 00:27:52,540 --> 00:27:55,140 military and industrial power... 299 00:27:55,470 --> 00:28:00,110 is an amazing example of Japan's single -mindedness. 300 00:28:00,690 --> 00:28:05,090 Next time... For more than two centuries, Nagasaki was literally the 301 00:28:05,090 --> 00:28:07,170 officially open port in Japan. 302 00:28:07,810 --> 00:28:09,910 What are the conditions like? Is it hot? 303 00:28:10,210 --> 00:28:15,730 The temperature was over 35 degrees centigrade with 95 % humidity. 304 00:28:16,510 --> 00:28:18,750 Basically, like working in a sauna. 305 00:28:20,090 --> 00:28:24,190 So that is a premium tea. How much would you pay for that? Could be priced. 306 00:28:24,680 --> 00:28:28,060 between like 400 and 500 pounds a kilo.